Volcanic Activity of Popocatepetl
Popocatepetl is an active stratovolcano located in central Mexico. The volcano is part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, a chain of volcanoes that runs along the western side of Mexico. Popocatepetl has been erupting for at least 730,000 years. The most recent eruption was in 2015, and the volcano is considered to be potentially active.
Background Information
Popocatepetl is an active stratovolcano located in central Mexico, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) southeast of Mexico City. The volcano is part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, a chain of volcanoes that runs along the western side of Mexico.
Popocatepetl has been erupting for at least 730,000 years. The most recent eruption was in 2015, and the volcano is considered to be potentially active.
Geological Background
The volcano is named after the Nahuatl words "Popocatépetl" and "Ixtaccíhuatl" which mean "smoking mountain" and "white woman" respectively. The volcano is also known as "El Popo" or "Don Goyo."
Popocatepetl is a stratovolcano, which means that it is built up of layers of ash, lava, and other volcanic material. The volcano is about 5,450 meters (17,880 feet) tall, and its summit crater is about 400 by 600 meters (1,300 by 2,000 feet) wide.
Hazards
The volcano is located in a seismically active region, and it has been the site of several earthquakes in recent years. The most recent earthquake, which occurred in 2017, was a magnitude 7.1 event that caused significant damage in central Mexico.
Safety Tips
Here are some tips for staying safe near Popocatepetl:
* Be aware of the volcano's activity and listen to warnings from CENAPRED.
* Stay away from the volcano's summit and slopes.
* Have a plan for what to do in case of an eruption.
* Be prepared for ashfall and other hazards.